There are some new green bike lanes where Catherine Street crosses the City Westlink -- the Southbound lane is sensible enough, but I'm confused by the Northern lane.

At the point at which Catherine street crosses the City Westlink, it goes from two way to one-way south -- so the northbound lane is left-turn only, and Catherine street on the north side of the westlink is No Entry.

There's now a green bike lane with a straight ahead arrow painted on it on Catherine street between the lanes on the south side of the Westlink. I assume the intention is that you ride on to the left hand pavement of Catherine street after crossing the Westlink -- but that involves crossing a lane of Southbound vehicles turning right into the Westlink.

Bob Moore wrote:First raised with the then RTA in about 2000! We pointed out that there was no legal way for northbound cyclists to cross the CWL via Catherine St, since all four lanes were one way south. Everyone of course just rode illegally on the east side footpath, using the pedestrian lights, but it's narrow and has a blind corner at Lilyfield Rd and other problems. T here was a meeting on site with John Brewer, head of the RMS bicycle section (too pesky/successful, so they abolished it), and he told his second in command, who wasn't that keen on doing anything, "just do it", referring to putting in a light phase for northbound cyclists so they could access the western unused footpath. It turned out that the wiring was in place and so was a kerb ramp, but somehow the project got deferred again and again. It finally got approved about 2011 but then the old plan got reworked and a new southbound lane added and the original footpath bike lane leading to the lights got changed to the central bike lane in the attached photo. Then there were more delays until construction finally happened last year, and now the lights people have obviously spat the dummy and are leaving a very unsafe situation.

I contacted RMS at 4:30 PM on Tuesday via their contact form, and had a reply the next day at 9:30 AM (which I thought was pretty good turnaround):

"Thank you for your enquiry about the new cycle facilities at City West Link and Catherine Street, Leichhardt. Inner West Council is responsible for undertaking these works, which include a northbound bike bay on Catherine Street, as well as northbound and southbound cycle lanes between Lilyfield Road and City West Link.

Roads and Maritime was made aware that during the construction stage, the new facilities give the impression that they are operational, but the proposed new signal lanterns and personality have not yet been installed. We had have requested that while construction is being undertaken, that the northbound bike bay be closed until the new bicycle lanterns are installed and activated. Council issued an instruction for water-filled barriers to be installed on Tuesday 17 January, 2017. Upon inspection, it has been confirmed that this has now been completed.

While works are being undertaken, Roads and Maritime suggests that cyclists cross City West Link using the existing pedestrian crossing facilities on the eastern side of the intersection until the new works are completed and operational."

Interesting though that the RMS suggest breaking the Road Rules by using the pedestrian crossing.

There is no suggestion in that sentence to break to road rules. Implicit in the recommendation for a cyclist to use the pedestrian crossing would be that, to keep within the road rules, cyclists would have to walk. It's not difficult really.

Interesting though that the RMS suggest breaking the Road Rules by using the pedestrian crossing.

There is no suggestion in that sentence to break to road rules. Implicit in the recommendation for a cyclist to use the pedestrian crossing would be that, to keep within the road rules, cyclists would have to walk. It's not difficult really.

Might be legal soon. Looks like bike lanterns have been installed on the crossing.

Interesting though that the RMS suggest breaking the Road Rules by using the pedestrian crossing.

There is no suggestion in that sentence to break to road rules. Implicit in the recommendation for a cyclist to use the pedestrian crossing would be that, to keep within the road rules, cyclists would have to walk. It's not difficult really.

Might be legal soon. Looks like bike lanterns have been installed on the crossing.

Could be legal everywhere without installing a bunch of lights if they followed the states that made it legal.

Another lane on Catherine St needs attention. This is near the refuge at the park, opposite Ilka St. Cars are allowed to park too close to the refuge, leaving no room to come out around the car without going in the traffic lane. Traffic engineer refuses to move the No Stopping sign further away, residents might complain, even though it is next to a park.https://goo.gl/photos/ppcgSAchczgdPTzT8

A bit more action on the Catherine St bridge. Workers widened the path on the west side by about half a metre, in preparation for cyclists using it northbound. At this rate of progress maybe the new lights will be working by about Xmas.

Nope, no joy for Xmas, lights still hooded on the crossings. Have reraised this with Innerwest Council traffic engineer John Stephens. The barriers that were supposed to block the short green lane for northbound cyclists in Catherine St are piled up on the other side of the road.

Bike lights now switched on. Work on the pedestrian crossing., both directions. Unfortunately they don't work for the northbound crossing from the green lane in Catherine St to the western footpath across the rail bridge. They just remain on red, no matter how much you jump up and down on the loop detectors in the green lane.

I am a bit slow to update this thread, but the lights for northbound cyclists are now working, after 20 year campaign. Party time!

You have to be on the detector to trigger the green bike light, and you get about 6 seconds to cross while cars heading south across the bridge in the far lane to make a right turn onto the CWL are held. Buses sometimes block the bike lane, but they do trigger the green for you.

You cross onto the shared path over Catherine St bridge (on the western side) and head up to Lilyfield Rd. No problem turning left there but turning right can be dicey, motorists aren’t expecting cyclists to come out of the one way (for cars) Catherine St. Pick your gap carefully.

Who is online

About the Australian Cycling Forums

The largest cycling discussion forum in Australia for all things bike; from new riders to seasoned bike nuts, the Australian Cycling Forums are a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.